Indianapolis — The Milwaukee Bucks weren't about to over-analyze their down-to-the-wire victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night at Conseco Fieldhouse.

It wasn't pretty as the Bucks missed six free throws in the final 1 minute 3 seconds and survived a pair of three-point attempts by Pacers guard T.J. Ford in the final 5 seconds. But they made enough defensive plays down the stretch to hang on for an 84-81 victory that snapped a seven-game road losing streak.

The Bucks were led by center Andrew Bogut, who set an aggressive tone early and finished with a career-high 31 points to go along with 18 rebounds. Guard Brandon Jennings scored 16 points and hit a key jumper that gave the Bucks a five-point lead with 28.6 seconds left, and Michael Redd scored 14 points in 41 minutes as a starter.

"This stops the bleeding," said guard Charlie Bell who sank a pair of key three-pointers in the third quarter after sitting out the entire first half. "This was big, especially after losing at home to Sacramento. We wanted to come on the road and try to redeem ourselves . . . with a chip on our shoulder.

"We were on a losing skid. Right now, we're not playing too well. We started (the season) well, then we started losing. Now we have to pick it back up."

Said coach Scott Skiles, "It feels good to get the win. I'd rather we put the nail in by making some free throws and just ending it. But we got a road win, and we're glad to have it."

Bogut had a huge game as he scored 12 points in leading the Bucks to a 19-16 lead after one quarter. He scored nine in the third in helping the Bucks take a 66-63 lead. Then he then added six points and six rebounds in the fourth quarter.

"He got off to such a great start," said Skiles. "We did a good job of getting him the ball, and he was making his shot and was active on the glass.

"One of the ways they took some of the momentum was when I took Andrew out of the game in the first half. We left him out there in the second half and he played very well."

Said Bogut, "I just kind of got it going early, some left-handed and right-handed shots. I got aggressive and got some easy baskets. I felt pretty confident about going either way. The ball was falling for me tonight."

Redd made 5 of 12 shots, including two of three from three-point range in his return to the starting lineup.

"I picked tonight (to start Redd) because we'd lost games on the road," said Skiles. "Obviously, we want to get Mike back in his normal role as a starter so we decided it would be tonight."

A rebound-basket by forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute gave Milwaukee an 82-78 lead with 1 minute 13 seconds left, and the Bucks led, 84-79, after Jennings' jumper with 28.6 seconds left. But Bell had missed two free throws with 1:03 left and Redd missed two with 19.2 seconds and the Bucks leading, 84-81, and the Pacers were still alive. Ford missed a wide-open three-pointer with 5.8 seconds left and Bogut was fouled with 4.2 seconds left but he then missed two free throws. Ford missed another three-pointer at the buzzer.

The game changed in the third quarter after Indiana had gone ahead, 45-36. Skiles then went to Bell, who had not played in the first half, and Bell sank consecutive three-pointers as part of a 13-0 Bucks run that put them ahead, 49-45.

"After not going in the first half, you really don't know," said Bell. "There were a couple games where I got DNPs, and I thought it was going to be another one of those nights where I probably wouldn't get in the game. But the thing is you've got to be ready when your number is called. I got two looks and was able to knock them down."